Captain Sean Ruane is said to have been an experienced pilot, but it remains unclear whether he was at the controls of the Pave Hawk helicopter that came down on a marsh near Cley-next-the-Sea last night.

Based at RAF Lakenheath with US Airforce 48th Fighter Wing, he leaves behind wife Rachel and their young son Liam.

His cousin Brian Meyer tweeted: “My cousin died in a helicopter crash tonight. Pretty tore up about this.

“Everyone: thanks for all the kindness. I’ll pass it along to his wife and child when we see each other soon.”